Carver Kids are Going to a World Renowned Camp in Maine This Summer!

Thanks to the ideas and generosity of The Grossman Family Foundation, 25 rising 6th graders will have an opportunity to experience a traditional New England sleepaway camp this summer.

They will explore the woods, waters, and fields of The Ecology School at the River Bend Farm, a historic 105-acre farm located on a scenic bend in the Saco River, just twenty minutes from the Maine coast. Next year, this initial cohort of students will return along with the next 25 rising 6th graders that follow them.

In the words of Mara Gay, a member of the New York Times editorial board:

For some lucky American children, summer means campfires with new friends, long hikes in the woods, hot days swimming in cool lakes, magical nights under starry skies.

Summer camp is a cherished experience for millions of children, an American tradition with deep roots in the country’s enduring romance with the great outdoors. As much of the United States reels from the pandemic, gun violence and threats to its democracy, the summer camps many have enjoyed for generations may offer something else: healing for America’s young people.

The Ecology School summer camp will include classic summer camp experiences like arts and crafts, theater, campfires, and songs. Campers will be immersed in environmental exploration, learning through hands-on activities, and following their curiosity to uncover deep-rooted eagerness to connect with nature.

Campers will stay in one wing of the camp’s three-wing dormitory with adult chaperones. Meals, with produce directly from the camp’s farm fields, will be shared family style in the Dining Commons.

This camp will complement Carver’s traditional summer learning programs. During the camp, students will participate in a variety of activities to build community, develop relationships, and learn through first-hand experiences.  The Ecology School will work closely with Carver to design a camp experience that meets the needs of our campers.

Attending an overnight camp is often the first long-term independent experience outside the family for a child. It’s that separation that influences the child to grow up in several important ways and provides the family with the chance to notice and appreciate that growth.

The summer camp world created at The Ecology School is dedicated to child development. The Ecology School transforms how youth think about science, food, the environment, and themselves through joyful, hands-on learning.

New England sleepaway summer camps are renowned for giving youth a boost in confidence and a greater sense of self. We are grateful to The Grossman Family Foundation for giving this priceless experience to children who would not normally be given this privileged opportunity.

To read the original article, click here.